The Gao Family Ancestral Hall in Qingcheng Ancient Town, Yuzhong, Gansu

The Gao Family Ancestral Hall was first built in the 44th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, that is, in 1779. It was initiated by Gao Binxin, the ninth ancestor of the Gao family, and it is the only family ancestral hall preserved in the Qingcheng area. The Gao Family Ancestral Hall faces south and north, composed of the mountain gate, front hall, rear hall, side room and main hall, which are unique hanging mountain-style buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The overall layout of the ancestral hall is a square eight diagrams, the small courtyard in the courtyard is in the shape of four treasures gathered in a pearl, symmetrical on the left and right, from the mountain gate to the main hall, layer by layer, gradually increasing, the rear hall is connected with the side room, not only the architecture is unique, but also the meaning is profound, to show the Gao family descendants support each other, progress together. Inside the Gao Family Ancestral Hall hang the plaques of Emperor Daoguang's imperial gift to Gao Minggui 'Talent and Martial Arts' and Emperor Xianfeng's imperial gift to Gao Hongru 'Jinshi'. It is a well-preserved family temple building in Qingcheng, its architectural layout, decorative themes, connotations to expression techniques, everywhere highlights the Gao family's family style of 'loyalty, filial piety, farming and reading', and also reflects the unique decorative style and cultural and artistic characteristics of Qingcheng ancient dwellings. In 2013, it was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit.